As an IELTS coach, one of the sections that I always help my learners to prepare for is the Speaking section, which is part of both the Academic and General Training exams. The Speaking test is structured the same for both versions, consisting of three parts. A very common topic seems to be the cue card round is Describe a Beautiful City.
For this topic, you have to mention location of the city, what is it famous for and is it beautiful according to you? Ideal Candidates are Easy and Related to Routine, Daily Life, Your Preferences, Environmental, Cosmopolitan, and Knowledge-based. If you prepare accordingly and respond in an organized way, you will manage to organize your thoughts and sound impressive in front of the examiner.
IELTS Speaking Test Format
IELTS Speaking test duration is between 11 to 14 minutes which includes 3 parts:
Part 1: The examiner will converse with you about general topics like work, family, studies, and hobbies. This section helps you get acclimated to the conversation.
Part 2: The second section of the Exam will giveyou a cue card based on a certain itopic. All you’ll need is a pencil and paper on which you’ll take notes — you’ll have one minute to do so. Then you have to talk about the topic for up to two minutes.
Part 3: This is a two-way conversation with the examiner, asking you more detailed questions pertaining to the subject of Part 2. This discipline assesses your ability to articulate and justify opinions.
The Academic and General Training versions of IELTS share the same format of IELTS speaking test.
Describe a beautiful city
You should say:
- Where the city is?
- How do you know the city?
- Which buildings are there, in the city?
- What it is famous for?
- Say why you believe this city is beautiful.
Sample Answer 1: Describe a Beautiful City
A City to Which I Traveled on a Holiday
Introduction
Whatever new cities I visit, I always get excited for visiting them again and one of the most beautiful I have visited so far is Jaipur. Jaipur — Popularly known as Pink City of India offers an interesting mix of history, culture and architectural beauty. It is known for its majestic palaces, colourful markets, and friendly hospitality.
Where is the City?
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, a state in north India. The city has a rich royal heritage with many historical monuments and well preserved culture. It draws tourists from around the globe.
How did you know the City?
I had always read about the beauty of Jaipur in travel blogs and magazines. But I finally did get the opportunity to visit it last year when I went on a holiday with my family. There was nothing like the adventures that we went through exploring the city’s culture, traditions and historical significance.
Which City Buildings do we have?
Jaipur is known for historical buildings like Amer Fort, the City Palace, and Hawa Mahal. Its intricate carvings, vast courtyards and striking architecture embody the city’s impressive history. The sites of this city like palaces and forts have eye-grabbing stories of the past, hence Jaipur is a must-visit.
What is it famous for?
This city is a historic center of handcraft industries that serve as a tourist attraction. Jaipur is famous for its vibrant festivals such as the Jaipur Literature Festival and the Elephant Festival.
Why do I think this City is beautiful?
Jaipur is a special city known for its breathtaking architecture, colorful markets, and strong cultural heritage. The fascinating amalgamation of past and present in this country, yet the hospitality of its denizens have made it well worth visiting.
Conclusion
Itineraries you might like to know: 2 days one night in Jaipur. Beautiful, historic, and culturally rich, the city is hands down one of the most beautiful place I have ever been to. I’m very grateful for this experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves history and culture.
Sample Answer 2 : Describe a Beautiful City
A City I Would Love to Live In
Introduction
I admire many cities but if one city to live, I will go for Delhi. Delhi, India’s capital, is an energetic mix of history and opportunity. Modern lifestyle meets Ancient heritage in this perfect cocktail and one of the exciting cities in the world.
Where is the City?
Delhi is in the north of India, on the banks of the Yamuna river. It is the political, cultural, and economic center of the country, where history and modern infrastructure is perfectly mixed.
How did you know the City?
As a schoolchild, I had read about Delhi in our history books. When I later traveled to the city I was captivated by the diversity, the energy, the blend of old and new.
What buildings does the City own?
There are many architectural marvels that Delhi holds. Some of them are the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and more. The city has retained a blend of Mughal, British, and modern architecture, thus displaying its evolution through time.
What is it famous for?
Delhi with its crowded markets, scrumptious street food, and cultural diversity. From the spicy chaat of Chandni Chowk to Connaught Place’s trendy cafes, the city treats you to an incredible culinary experience. Its other claim to fame is as an education hub with several top universities based there.
Why do I make such statement that this City is Amazing?
Also, the beauty of Delhi is its diversity. This blend of centuries-old monuments and futuristic skyscrapers, traditional festivals and modern entertainment forms a unique charm that you will never find anywhere else.
Conclusion
Delhi is a sleepless city. It caters to the history buff, the foodie, the student, the professional. If you ask me, I would jump at the chance to live in this incredible city.
Sample Answer 3: You Describe a Lovely City
A City I Would Like to Visit for a Spiritual Experience
Introduction
If you are looking for peace, spirituality, there is no better place than Varanasi. Varanasi which is known as the spiritual capital of India is a city of eternal life, the smell of culture and a land of deep-rooted history.
Where is the City?
Varanasi is a city in northern India, located along the banks of the River Ganga. Its age, and the fact that it is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, adds to its religious importance for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.
How did you know the City?
I learnt about Varanasi from documentaries and travel shows. The spiritual aura of the city, Ganga Aarti and ancient temples always fascinated me and I always wanted to visit it for peaceful retreat.
Which buildings does the City own?
Among the most famous temples and forts in Varanasi, you will find the Kashi Vishwanath Temple which is one of the most sacred shrines in Hinduism. Apart from temples, the Ramnagar Fort being on the outskirts of the city offers a breathtaking view of the Ganga, which adds to the architectural beauty of Varanasi.
What is it famous for?
Famous for its ghats, where people do religious rituals and rites. It is also known for weaving handpicked Banarasi silk sarees, classical music, and centuries-old traditions. This city is visited by many pilgrims and spiritual seekers in search of inner peace.
What makes me believe this City is beautiful?
Benares beauty is more than just its architecture but its spiritual energy. The morning boat rides on the Ganga, witnessing devouts performing rituals, and the sound of chants in the aura make it a captivating place.
Conclusion
Varnasi is an ultimate place for those who want to grow spiritually or experience the culture. Its history, customs, and tranquility render it among the most beautiful sights on Earth.
Other IELTS speaking cue card topics
Describe a Foreign Person You Have Heard About
Describe a Situation When You Helped Someone
Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
Describe A Famous Athlete You Know
Describe an Activity That You Do After School/Work
Describe a Time You Moved to a New Home/school
Part 3 Follow Up Questions about Describe a Beautiful City
Question: How do we preserve historical structures?
There are many ways to preserve and protect historical buildings. One way to do this is by motivating people to go to these places with friends and family and to produce income to be used by the government to help in the preservation.
Moreover, individuals have to be responsible for not doing graffiti or throwing trash. It is also a responsibility for parents and educators to teach children the value of these historical landmarks, so they may learn to respect and appreciate their cultural significance.
Question: Is it good for historical places to have too many tourists?
There are pros and cons to high visitor numbers at historical sites. Arguably, this is all good — more tourists equals more money, leading to greater maintenance and more international popularity. Too much tourism, on the other hand, could cause pollution and even damage to historical artifacts and buildings.
Question: What is the difference between modern cities and modern towns?
Modern cities vs modern towns have many things in common in terms of acquisition and development. A city is a large human settlement characterized by high population density and infrastructure that is built around urban areas. On the other hand, towns are smaller, less populated, and tend to be quieter and more laid-back.
Question: How can we prevent sites that were once great from closing and falling into disrepair?
Many measures can be implemented to protect monuments from destruction. First, the perpetrators of the vandalism of such sites (as well as their destruction) must be punished with the harshest of penalties. Second, security forces must be stationed in order to monitor and defend these places. Installing more CCTV cameras would also aid in monitoring visitor behavior and preventing vandalism.
Question: Why do people like to visit historical sites?
There are many reasons why people visit historical sites. Some want to know history, culture and traditions of these sites, while others like these sites for scenic picnic spots. Further, to earn a living and promote up the beauty of a site to the wider audience, content creators and professionals head to historical sites for a blog about, shooting and photography of music videos.
